Most Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, who managed to flee Myanmar in the past six days, are children, says Bangladesh Chief of UNICEF’s Child Protection Jean Lieby.
“60 per cent of all refugees are children according to preliminary data. This is a growing humanitarian crisis and children are at the heart of this crisis,” said he.
Lieby said it at a press briefing on Tuesday, as per a report on bdnews24.com.
The UNICEF official pointed out that 220,000 of the 370,000 to make the crossing thus far are children.
These children are suffering from sleep deprivation, weak and hungry, he said.
Many are sick and need urgent healthcare. There is also the need to set up protection and psychological support for children traumatised by the events, added Lieby.
The official expressed particular concern for the documented 1,128 children who have been separated from their families.
Lieby requested a minimum fund of $7.3 million to provide safe drinking water, basic sanitation, disease prevention, hygiene and other services.
However, more funds may be required as the refugee population grows, he noted.
